Refrigerator-crate



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. F. FUGAZZI. RBPRIGEBATQR CRATE.

Patented May 2Iv 1893. 2359.1

(No Model.)

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JOHN FERDINAND FUGAZZI, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

ARial-RIGERATO'n -cmvra SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 496,644, dated May 2, 1893. l

Application iiled August 30, 1892. Serial No. 444,582- (NO model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, JOHN FERDINAND FU- GAZZI, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerator-Crates; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will en able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has for its object to provide a transportable refrigerator crate that will carry perishable fruit in good condition for a considerable length of time, and which,'while simple and cheap in its construction, will veffectively serve for its intended purpose.

With other minor objects in View, all of which will be hereinafter fully set forth, my invention consists in the peculiar and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully set out in the specification, and particularly pointed out in the claims, reference 'being had to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section of my improved refrigerator crate. Fig. 2 is a top plan view, the top being removed and a portion of the upper ice holder broken away.

Fig. 3 is a transverse central vertical section of the same. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the horizontal ice holder. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the vertical ice box, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of my improved crate complete.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A indicates the box, of suitable proportions, and B a false wall arranged on the interior of the sides and end walls thereof whereby a space is formed which is divided into a series of pockets C by means of the Vertical partitions C, such pockets being in practice filled with cork or saw-dust; and to render such box almost absolutely air-tight, and prevent dampness (produced by the melting ice) from entering the fruit chambers, the rear face of the false wall is lined with wax paper or other non-absorbent material a, as shown. The walls B extend to near the top of the box, leaving a space, as it were, for the double thick portion of the lid or cover D to t in when closed down, such cover being secured to the box by hinges d and hasps d; felt or other suitable material d2 being interposed between the lid and the upper edges of the box to make the lid close down tight.

Centrally of the side walls B of the box, cleats e e are secured, which form guide-Ways for the vertical ice box F, the construction of l having'a pipe f projected up from another drip tube f2, and ending in a funnel fx near the top of the box F. Longitudinal openings f3 are cut in the sides of the said box F near the top, to allow the cold air to pass into the interior of the crate; such openings also serving to form convenient handle portions whereby the box can be readily lifted up out of its guides.

J indicates lthe upper or horizontal iceholder the upper edge of which abuts the under face of the cover when down, such holder being held on cleats i at the corners of the box upon which the projecting corner arms j j rest, such holder also having suitable handholdsjj as shown.

It will be noticed by reference to Fig. 2 that the upper holder J does not extend to the sides and ends of the interior'chamber of the crate, leaving, as it were, air spaces L which surround the said holder. This holder which is illustrated in detail in Eig. 4 has a lished bottom, ending in a transverse gutterwayJX, one end of which has an escape or drip pine jx which projects down into the funnel end of the lower tube f. By this construction it will be observed that the upper holder can be quickly lifted out of the box without disturbing any of the contents or component parts, and by plugging up the drip pipej accidental spilling of Water on the contents of the crate is entirely avoided.

As a means for keeping a more perfect circulation of cold air, a series of hollow metallic cleats 0 are provided, which are secured to inner faces of the sides and ends of the interior frame, such cleats also serving as a means for keeping the fruit boxes fromocon- IOC tact with .the sides and ends of the crate, and

leaving additional air spaces between the cleats. l

It will be noticed by reference to Fig. l that the said cleats extend almost to the bottom;

such cleats are open at the bottom and the,

top, their tops ending at apointbelow the upper edge of the horizontal ice-holder, and in the air spaces intermediate such holder and the sides of the box. The bottom of the box is provided with the usual cross cleats which keep the fruit boxes from the bottom, allowing for a free air passage under the fruit.

The box proper is constructed in any well known way, preferably with a double bottom, cover and paneled sides, such cover having the usual hinges and fastening hasps as shown.

From the foregoing description taken in connection'with the drawings the advantages of my improved crate will readily appear. It will be noticed that by providing a horizontal upper ice holder and a vertical ice box, ample means for holding ice are provided and by arranging them in the manner stated it is impossible for any of the waste Water to enter in the fruit compartments. By providing the vertical cleats and the air space around the upper ice box, ample means are provided for holding the crates/from the sides of the box, and also for a perfect circulation of air and by having the interior surrounded by a sawdustl illing chamber, the cold air is retained much longer within the box.

in Fig. 6, whereby it can be conveniently handled.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination in a refrigerator crate having an interior packing chamber, and a series of hollow cleats on its sides and ends, opening at the bottom and top into the crate, of a vertical ice holder, having a discharge leading to the outside of the box, and provided with an upwardly 'extending discharge pipe, the horizontal ice holder having a discharge leading into said discharge pipe, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. An improved refrigerator crate comprising a covered box having a series of vertical hollow cleats on its inner walls, a vertical ice box, arranged centrally thereof, and having openings near its top, and discharges in its bottom extended through the bottom of the box, and of such discharges having a vertically extending tube, a horizontal ice holder of less width and length than the interior of the box, whereby surrounding air chambers are formed, supporting arms on such holder adapted to engage supporting cleats on the box, said ice holder having a dished bottom formed with a discharge opening into discharge on the vertical ice box, all arranged substantially as and for thel purposes described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses. Y

J OI-IN FERDINAND FUGAZZI. Witnesses:

JOSEPH A. D. ZANONE', WM. M. GRAY. 

